Description
Polypodium – California Polypody – Polypody –
There are about 75 species of mostly evergreen, usually epiphytic, sometimes terrestrial ferns, in this genus. They are mainly from tropical regions of the USA, Central America and South America, but also from temperate and other tropical regions. They are often found growing on trees, rocks, walls, or well drained banks and sand dunes. They are grown for their sculptural might to mid green fronds, which are usually lance shaped, simple to pinnatifid or pinnate, occasionally further divided, and are borne at random in 2 rows along creeping, often surface rhizomes which are scaly, red-brown. It produce sori, without indusia, that are arranged in rows on each side of the midrib of each frond or pinna. The hardy species are good rock garden, mixed border, or bank, especially where winter greenery and groundcover are desired. Grow on tree.
Grow in moderately fertile, humus rich, gritty or stony well drained soil, in full sun or dappled shade, with shelter from cold drying winds. Divide in spring.
P. glycyrrhiza ‘Longicaudatum’ – P. vulgare ‘’Longicaudatum’ – Licorice Fern – This terrestrial, evergreen fern grows to 12″ tall with an indefinite spread. It produces lance shaped, pinnate or very deeply pinnatifid, mid to dark green fronds with very long pointed tips, to 14″ long, composed of sickle shaped, linear pinnae. Similar to P. vulgare, except that the fronds are darker green, pinnae tips more pointed, and sori smaller. The rhizome has a very sweet, licorice taste.
Zones 4-9
